In honor of Meryl's 65th birthday today... channel her essence and celebrate her joie de vivre. You know you want to.

65 Smile. Like you're mischievously pleased with yourself.64 Master the tricky combo of being warm and relatable but also superior to the mere mortals around you63 Be a total boss at your profession62 ... and win a prize for it.61 (Run around like a joyful maniac when you do)

60 ... or make a plan to do so. 59 Pick up a strange accent today58 ...abruptly change it at lunch57 ....and then again at dinner 56 Sleep with someone who is good with their hands, like, I don't know a sculptor or something. I'm just spitballing here...

55 Imagine procreating with that person. Try to picture it: Your genes are so powerful that once you do you'll produce little mini-mes in abundance, same hair, same complexion, same patrician beauty, same everything.54 Surround yourself with artists and actors and musicians53 ... and/or encourage creativity in those around you.52 Extol lefty politics51 Pretend you went to Vassar and Yale for your higher education50 (If you actually did don't make a fuss about it)49 ... but if that's too hard and you never made it to college or you're still a teenager, remember / fantasize about your days as Homecoming Queen

48 Pretend you're way too vain and can't deal with aging - say "wrinkle wrinkle little star. Hopefully they never see the scars" in the mirror.47 ... but actually be totally okay with it and too awesome to worry about how you look. Even at formal events.46 Sing "He's Me Pal" to your best male friend45... pretend (or actually be) drunk when you're doing it.44 Sing "The Winner Takes It All" in the open air43 Sing "Amazing Grace" to your best lesbian friend

42 Sing "You Don't Know Me" that classic Ray Charles track41 Sing something from Into the Woods40 Sing "I See Me" in the mirror39 The point is you gotta sing SOMETHING today. Meryl loves to sing and she's great at it.38 Act out scenes from Death Becomes Her with your best friend. Call each other "Mad" and "Hel" and quote as many lines as you can remember

37 ...or at least work a few of them into your conversations (I know you already do this but humor me). The easiest are probably

NOW a warning?

and

I can see RIGHT THROUGH YOU!"

36 Make eyes at someone who looks like Robert de Niro, Kevin Kline, Clint Eastwood, Jack Nicholson, Robert Redford, Alison Janney, Kurt Russell or Jeremy Irons. Those are your "types" for today... that should give you a lot to work with.35 Remember John Cazale fondly. (He only made classic movies so that should be easy to do.)34 Scowl at anyone who looks like Bruce Willis, Dustin Hoffman, or Woody Allen33 Make out with the closest approximation of Sandra Bullock you can find

32 Befriend someone who looks like Cher (I know they'll be hard to find. So... okay, anyone who's had any work down or with a distinctive voice)31... make that person call you "Mary Louise" today30 Call up your mother and banter

29 Monologue about that farm you once had in Africa28 ... or an awful gift your mother gave you27 ... or the color "cerulean"26 Do or say something really dramatic in an elevator

25 Scream "That dingos got my baby!" at least once.24 Describe yourself like so "I am the French Lieutenant's WHORE"23 Make all of Carrie Fisher's best lines your own "Instant gratification takes too long"22 Never take things too seriously including these 65 assignments (but I hope you'll do at least 10 of them)21 Laugh frequently

20 Make sure others to do the same19 Make dinner tonight and serve it in your best Julia Child voice18 While you're cleaning up make sure to get all neurotic and do a "I see to be unravelling" The Hours speech as you slump to the floor17 Read the play "Master Class"16 Pull on your skin and recreate this iconic Annie Liebovitz Rolling Stone cover

15 Post that picture online with your ode to Meryl14 Get high with someone who looks like Steve Martin13 ...while you're still stoned imitate the dial tone of a phone12 Find a way to work "I have so many doubts" into the conversation today11 If you're in Hollywood visit Meryl's star on the Walk of Fame10 Watch this video. I made it five years ago so it's missing the last handful of movies, but I'm still proud of it.

09 Withoug looking them up and RIGHT NOW try to recite the lineups of all of her acting nomination categories in supporting 78,79,02 and lead 81,82,83,85,87,88,90,95,98,99, 06,08,09,11,13. Tell us which ones stumped you in the comments07 Watch any Meryl movie06 Eat your fish, bitch.

05 Quote as many lines from The Devil Wears Prada as you can remember. (You might wanna block out two hours for that since surely you can recite the whole thing)04 Say "I think I'll buy the flowers myself" and then actually go out and do it. You deserve a nice floral arrangement today.03 Say "That's ridiculous" in your best Polish accent every time you complete one of these 65 items.02 Show everyone that you're hear to stay01 Quote this last line until you believe it, because you should.

What I think I love most about her is her recognition and, in turn, her playfulness with being in such rarified air. She is a STAR (a fully respected one at that) and she doesn't mind playing one in her appearances or when she's giving those wonderful speeches. It helps to be quick witted and just smart as hell. I think that's why she continues to be embraced and lauded, even if the films are lacking or the "dragon lady" formality gets to be a bit much. Who doesn't want her at the party!? She's the best, we know it, she knows it, and we're all gonna have a helluva time talking about it. Happy Birthday!!!

I briefly met Meryl at the BAFTAs two years ago, she held my hand and called me 'darling', it's still one of the best moments of my life. I haven't seen The Hours in years so I'm watching it tonight in her honour. Happy Birthday, Meryl!

Aging gracefully, yet staying so sensual and sexy. A woman's face, not some mockup of one that stretches and pulls to the point when you can't tell the difference between a slightly raised eyebrow or an artificially enhanced eyelid no matter how expensive it was.

Happy B-Day to Queen Meryl, I am really grateful to be alive while she exists, such a talented and wonderful woman, no matter what you think of her performances, you can't deny her charisma and great personality. I can't wait for all the Meryl to come, great post Nat :)

I'd like to think that Goldie Hawn showed up at Meryl's door and was like "Meryl! I must speak with Meryl at once!" and they giggle and Meryl invites her in. Then Nicole and Julianne show up with a big beatiful cake (that Juli baked) and some ginger, you know, for the children. And then they all prank call Anne Hathaway.

sad man -- i love this fantasy that Goldie & Meryl reenact that regularly. Sometimes when I'm blogging I feel just as unhinged as fat Goldie. "I would like to blog about...." NO DON'T DO IT DON'T DO IT "... Meryl Streep"

I still think Hollywood is really overlooking the fact that there's a blockbuster film franchise starring Meryl Streep that needs to happen. She should lead the female version of The Expendables. She can kick ass and be funny. Give her a good slate of actress and have Kathryn Bigelow direct the film. Billions of dollars will be made.

LOVED the challenge with naming all the nominees! Didn't get Penelope Milford (78), Candice Bergen (79), and Julie Walters (83). I blame the fact that I don't obsess over supporting actress nearly as much as leading actress, and that the race of 1983 is rarely discussed! I guess that's because it was clearly always going to be MacLaine. Had trouble with Holly Hunter (1987, the horror!), Julia Roberts (90), and Janet McTeer (99) too.